Sandy updates: The latest happenings in your town

Nov. 24, 2012

Windansea owner Danny Shields, left, and his son J.R., 17, Highlands, examine damage to the restaurants dock from Hurricane Sandy. FEMA stepped in 11 years ago to order the owner of Windansea restaurant in the Highlands to beef up its remodeling plan so it could withstand a powerful storm. Owner Danny Shields felt victimized at the time, but now regards it as a blessing. / MARY FRANK/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

MONMOUTH COUNTY

ABERDEEN: Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District will make up school days lost due to superstorm Sandy on Jan. 21, Feb. 15 and 22, and April 1.

ALLENHURST: A subcommittee has been formed to oversee the rebuilding of the Beach Club and Restaurant. The Board of Commissioners approved a $1.5 million emergency appropriation for storm damages.

ASBURY PARK: The Grand Arcade at 1300 Ocean Ave. is scheduled to open today. The boardwalk south of the Grand Arcade remains closed until further notice.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS: The Borough Council will hold its next meeting Wednesday. The Atlantic Highlands Recreation Department sponsored Holiday Tree Lighting will be held 4 p.m. Dec. 4 at Veteran’s Park.

AVON: Beginning Jan. 1, garbage collection rules will be strictly enforced. Garbage must be drained of all water and placed in a nonporous plastic or metal garbage can with handles. Each residence or business will be allowed up to five 32-gallon or 50-pound cans for collection.

BAYSHORE REGION: The Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce’s Beacon of Hope relief center is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the former Children’s Wear store at 3106 Route 35 in Hazlet. For more information, visit the Facebook page NMCC Beacon of Hope.

COLTS NECK: Mayor Jarrett Engel announced a general planning meeting to discuss helping restoration efforts in Union Beach is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive. Fourth quarter taxes are due Monday. A special meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. in the Courthouse to discuss deer management and control issues.

DEAL: The December meeting of the Board of Commissioners has been moved to 8 a.m. Dec. 6.

Officials plan to rebuild the Conover Pavilion, the public bathing facility destroyed during superstorm Sandy. It is uncertain at this time whether the Phillips Avenue Pier will be rebuilt but the remaining pilings will be removed, officials said. Repairs at the Roosevelt Avenue sewage pumping facility include replacing damaged equipment, refurbishing the building and reinforcing the stone barrier/seawall. The Department of Public Works will continue to clear storm debris and will collect vegetative waste until Dec. 1.

EATONTOWN: The Board of Education meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the all-purpose room at Memorial Middle School on Grant Avenue.

ENGLISHTOWN: The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District has added Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 to the calendar to make up for days lost to superstorm Sandy.

FAIR HAVEN: The Fair Haven School District has rescheduled its parent-teacher conferences for Jan. 23 and 24.

A Borough Council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday.

FARMINGDALE: The school district’s Health Council meeting is rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Middle School seventh-grade classroom.

FREEHOLD: The Borough Council will hold its next meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3.

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP: Residents have until Nov. 30 to pay property taxes. The recycling center is currently open for storm-related brush only until further notice.

HAZLET: Rumors of a lice outbreak at the NMCC Beacon of Hope Distribution Center are not true, officials said.

HIGHLANDS: “The Hope for Highlands” benefit concert begins at 2 p.m. Sunday at the SeaStreak Ferry Landing, 325 Shore Drive, Highlands. Parking is available for $10 at both the Highlands venue and Atlantic Highlands SeaStreak parking lots. For visitors coming in from Manhattan’s 34th Street SeaStreak pier and Pier 11 at Wall Street, the $65 fare includes the round-trip boat ride, food and the concert.

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The school district’s previously canceled parent-teacher conferences are rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. . Students will be dismissed at 1 p.m. on those days as well as Nov. 30. A curfew remains in effect from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

HOLMDEL: Storm cleanup will begin on Monday. All residents are asked to put their brush and tree debris at the curb as soon as possible. There will be only one pickup, according to the municipal website.

HOWELL: Residents scheduled for recycling pickup on Thanksgiving Day will be picked up today.

INTERLAKEN: The Borough Council will hold its next meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at Borough Hall.

KEANSBURG: Officials report the water supply and sewer systems are back to normal. Anyone with food or clothing needs should call 732-787-0215, ext. 203. Monetary donations to help with the recovery can be sent to Borough of Keansburg Trust, 29 Church St., Keansburg, NJ 07734.

KEYPORT: A Planning Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday in Council Chambers.

LAKE COMO: A Save Our Shore benefit will be held from 12 to 6 p.m. at Bar Anticipation. A $10 donation is requested. For more information, e-mail info@fsosbelmar.com.

LITTLE SILVER: The grace period for tax payments without interest has been extended to Nov. 30.

LOCH ARBOUR: Food donations are being accepted at municipal headquarters at 550 Main St.

LONG BRANCH: The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Fire Station 4, 199-205 Union Ave.

MANALAPAN: The flu clinic that was canceled due to superstorm Sandy is rescheduled for 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Dec. 15 at town hall. There is a $20 fee except for seniors with Medicare Part B.

MANASQUAN: In the borough, New Jersey Natural Gas has replaced all 1,780 feet of the damaged main along First Avenue and continues to install and repair services to make gas available up to the meter.

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MARLBORO: Zoning and building permit fees related to the replacement or restoration of existing permitted structures caused by storm damage between Oct. 29 and Nov. 12 will be waived, according to the township website. The permitting requirements for removal of trees that are dead or damaged as a result of Sandy or the nor’easter will be waived through Feb. 1.

MATAWAN: Today’s Turkey Trot has been canceled. A special Borough Council meeting will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Matawan Municipal Community Center, 201 Broad St.

MIDDLETOWN: The Croydon Hall Emergency Relief Distrbution Center will be open today and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center, located at 900 Leonardville Road in Leonardo, will be open for regular hours Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The township will be hosting a public information session at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Middletown High School North Auditorium, 63 Tindall Road, to address rules regarding repair and rebuilding of homes and businesses damaged by superstorm Sandy.

. This meeting will not involve the Army Corps of Engineers or any discussion of beach replenishment projects. Those topics will be addressed at future meetings.

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP: Recycling will be picked up Wednesday. Millstone Township Recreation’s annual toy drive of new unwrapped toys will be held through Dec. 14. Drop them off from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Township Municipal Building at 470 Stage Coach Road. The annual Christmas tree lighting will occur 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Township Fire House.

NEPTUNE : The next meeting of the Township Committee will be 6 p.m. Monday. The Shark River Property Owners Association will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Shark River Hills Fire House, 200 Brighton Ave.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP: Monday’s Planning Board meeting has been canceled.

OCEANPORT: Tax payments have been extended to Nov. 30. The state’s shelter at Monmouth Park will close this week.

RED BANK: A “Restore the Shore” benefit will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at The Downtown located at 10 W. Front St. Tickets can be purchased for $25 online or at the door. For more information, visit http://restoretheshore.splashthat.com/.

RUMSON: Friday will be the final day Rumson relaxes the rules for pick-up and will no longer pick up construction debris or trees in excess of eight inches in diameter or four feet in length.

SEA BRIGHT: A 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew remains in effect. Borough Hall will remain open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week.

SEA GIRT: The town is currently working with FEMA and the state Department of Environment Protection to properly assess and dispose of all the debris from the storm, according to the town website.

SHREWSBURY: The borough’s Department of Public Works continues to clean up debris from Sandy. All brush must be cut to a maximum of six inches in length. Recycling and trash pickup are on the normal schedule.

WALL: The state’s shelter at the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center will close this week. The township’s temporary debris management area is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Camp Evans Parking lot at 1098 Monmouth Blvd.

WEST LONG BRANCH: Monmouth University, in conjunction with NJ Future, will present “Rebuilding A Resilient New Jersey Shore” 9 a.m Dec. 7 in Wilson Hall, 400 Cedar Ave. To register for the free event, visit www.njfuture.org.

Reformation Lutheran Church is changing the hours of operation for its emergency distribution for the surrounding communities.

Beginning Monday, the site will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the ability to provide clothing, emergency food, emergency cleaning supplies, emergency toiletry items.

The church is on the corner of Broadway and Locust Road.

OCEAN COUNTY

BARNEGAT: Residents with substantial structural damage from Sandy should call the Barnegat Assessor’s Office at 609-698-0080, ext. 146, for an appointment Dec. 10. A temporary assessment adjustment for 2013 may be warranted.

BAY HEAD: Paterson Fire Department members will serve meals three times a day — 9 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m. — through Sunday near St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 423 W. Lake Ave. They will also be handing out supplies from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

A Borough council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 3.

BAY HEAD TO SEASIDE: Work at the N.J. Natural Gas regulator station south of the Mantoloking Bridge begins Dec. 3. All service is expected to be restored by the end of December.

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BEACHWOOD: There will be a Borough Council meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 5.

BERKELEY: The Berkeley branch of the Ocean County Library system is partnering with FEMA to further assist those affected by superstorm Sandy. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, next week, FEMA teams will assist in the registration, application and check the status of a claims at 30 Station Road, in Bayville.

The town will make access permits available daily at the checkpoint in South Seaside Park. The time limits are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. until further notice. Returning residents and visitors to the barrier island communities of Berkeley are advised not to use the water supply.

BRICK: Barrier Island residential access registration continues from 8:30 a.m to 6 p.m. through Saturday. On Monday, registration hours change to 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at police headquarters. Hired contractors and towing companies must show a completed Resident Contractor Form (available on the township website) and check in and check out at the VFW on Adamston Road. PODS are permitted on the island but must be positioned in a manner that would not obstruct utility work.

The Brick Township Chamber of Conference’s 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday luncheon at the Woodlake Country Club features guest speaker Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. To register or for more information, visit www.brickchamber.com.

EAGLESWOOD: The Eagleswood Township Elementary School is collecting gift cards so the school can buy supplies for students of Beach Haven who are now attending the township’s school district due to superstorm Sandy. For information on the collection program, call 609-597-3663. Donations can be dropped off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school located at 511 Route 9.

ISLAND HEIGHTS: The Island Heights Mayor and Council’s regularly scheduled meeting for Tuesday has been canceled. Fourth quarter taxes are due on Monday.

JACKSON: The compost facility at 334 Jackson Mills Road will be open 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. seven days a week for storm-debris disposal. Proof of residency is required.

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The school district will accept gift card and cash donations to help teachers and staff devastated by superstorm Sandy. Donations can be given today at the Jackson Memorial vs. Jackson Liberty football game, held at Jackson Liberty High School, North Hope Chapel Road. The game begins at 1 p.m.

LACEY: A benefit to help those displaced from Hurricane Sandy will be held 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Latitudes On The Forked River on Route 9.

Storm debris pick up for bulk items will be collected today, Wednesday and Dec. 15 only. Brush and tree pick up will end Dec. 7 but residents can continue drop off at the recycling center.

LAKEHURST: The Borough Council will hold its next meeting 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

The Lakehurst First Aid Squad will hold a gift auction today at the Community Center at 207 Center St. The squad will auction off a variety of gifts, including Walt Disney World tickets with hotel stays.

Doors to the auction open at 4 p.m. and calling begins at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.

LAKEWOOD: The Playwrights on the Rise production at the Strand that was postponed due to Sandy has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 5.

LAVALLETTE: The borough will be divided into three sections beginning Monday when homeowners, residents, tenants and private contractors will be allowed to enter Lavallette based on these sections. Section 1 is west of Route 35 south including West Point Island; section 2, all properties between Route 35 north and Route 35 south; and section 3 is from east of Route 35 north (ocean blocks). Section 1 days are Nov. 26, Nov. 29, Dec. 2; section 2’s days are Nov. 27, Nov. 30 and Dec. 3; section 3’s days are Nov. 28, Dec. 1 and Dec. 4. visit www.lavallette.org for more information.

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LITTLE EGG HARBOR: A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open at the Little Egg Harbor Township Senior Center, 641 Radio Road, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Attendees should register with FEMA first at 1-800-621-3362, 1-800-767-4341 or www.fema.gov. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions and assist with application questions and small business administration. The senior center will be closed for all other business while the FEMA center is open.

LONG BEACH ISLAND: New Jersey Natural Gas crews have completed the re-pressurization of the gas main on the Island and natural gas is now available to 11,272 – or 79 percent – of customers’ meters.

Meters have been repaired and replaced on the entire northern end of the island and all rebuilds are expected to be completed by Monday.

Property owners can make claims as well as check on the status of existing claims.

Small business claims or loan application can be done here.

MANCHESTER: Tax bill payments have been extended to Monday. The township Council will meet 6 p.m. Monday at the Municipal Building on One Colonial Drive.

MANTOLOKING: Access will resume today at 8 a.m. Residents are being issued two passes, one pass per vehicle. Check the borough’s website for terms and conditions.

OCEAN GATE: Mayor Paul J. Kennedy said 60 percent to 70 percent of structures in the borough sustained at least some damage from the storm.

Borough families who have been displaced or are not staying in borough’s school district due to superstorm Sandy should contact Joanne Hickey-Esler, the coordinator of special services at 732-269-0044.

PINE BEACH: The Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

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PLUMSTED: The Plumsted Township Committee will hold a special meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday in the courtroom of the Municipal Building, 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt.

POINT PLEASANT: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, next week, FEMA teams will assist in the registration, application and check the status of a claims at the 834 Beaver Dam Road branch of the Ocean County Library.

Boat owners or insurance companies attempting to locate a lost or abandoned vessel should contact the State Police Point Pleasant Station between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 732-899-5051.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH: The Building Department will open from 8 a.m. to noon today. St. Gregory’s Pantry, 804 Bay Ave., will resume its regular schedule of 10 a.m to noon Monday through Friday schedule beginning this Monday.

A laptop with Wi-Fi access is available for anyone needing to register for FEMA.

St. Mary’s Church and St. Gregory’s Pantry is seeking donations of gift cards and cash to help fund prescriptions, eyeglasses, sneakers, household items, fuel, and change for laundromats.

State inspectors will be assisting with property assessments beginning Tuesday.

Anyone with an unsafe structure notice will have until Dec. 31 to provide a refurbishment report.

Before starting any work in the borough, all contractors are to report to police headquarters at 116 Sherman Ave. to register before going to their job sites.

SEASIDE PARK: JCP&L will begin re-stabilizing electric service to Seaside Park Monday and New Jersey Natural Gas service should be available by year’s end.

The temporarily relocated Borough Hall office at 10 Allen St. in Toms River will be open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Friday.

Re-entry permits and contractor’s work permits can be obtained at this location.

Returning residents and visitors are advised not to use the water supply for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making baby formula or juice, feeding to pets or other consumptive uses.

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SHIP BOTTOM: The Ship Bottom Police Department is requesting that any heaters residents received through donations be dropped off to the Long Beach Township Police lobby to then be forwarded to Seaside Park for redistribution.

If you are unable to get to Long Beach Township, police ask that you bring the heaters to your local police department.

SOUTH TOMS RIVER: South Toms River Elementary Scholastic Book Fair has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

STAFFORD: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday next week FEMA teams will assist in the registration, application and check the status of a claims at the Stafford branch, 129 N. Main St.

Hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday until further notice starting Saturday. Property owners can make claims as well as check on the status of existing claims.

Small business claims can be made and small business loans can be applied for at this location.

TOMS RIVER: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation and the American Legion will host “Hiring Our Heroes: Veterans Rebuild New Jersey,” a hiring fair for veterans and military spouses focused on Hurricane Sandy relief 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday at George P. Vanderveer American Legion Post 129, 2025 Church Road.

Interested job seekers should register for free at hoh.greatjob.net. Walk-in job seekers are allowed and veterans must provide military identification.

FEMA teams will be at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library 10 to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the 101 Washington St. branch.

TUCKERTON: A FEMA recovery center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 775 E. Bay Avenue in Manahawkin.

WARETOWN: Residents can bring the documents they want shredded to town hall parking lot on Nov. 30 between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the truck is full. Town hall is at 50 Railroad Ave.